British and Colonial Acts Leading up to the Stamp Act Congress
-The British began to collect taxes to help pay for the French and Indian War (cost Britain $2 million). Americans had never contributed much to the British Treasury (colonists "paid no more than six pence a year against the average English taxpayer's twenty-five shillings") The British also believed that the French and Indian War was fought for the Americans, so the American colonists should pay.
British Laws
1763 Proclamation Line
All settlements are forbidden west of the Appalachians
The British government will not state that Colonials are not allowed to settle west of the line
Why?
Promised the Native Americans that this land would be given to them and protected- in exchange for service during the French and Indian Wars
British did not want the expense and human cost of having to fight the Indians (in order to protect the settlers)
Easier to control colonists when contained in a closer distance (ex. Hard to tax, protect, and enforce laws for those who are living far away)
Why might the colonists dislike this law? Why?
1764 Currency Act
The colonists are forbidden to make paper money as legal tender
Enforced British Authority of Colonial Economy
1764 Sugar Act
The duty on the importation of foreign molasses is reduced 6d (pence) to 3d (pence).
Nobody paid the 6d because it would have driven them out of business. The British hope that the 3d will now be paid…and brides to tax collectors will stop
There will be new duties (a kind of tax) on the imports on sugar, indigo, coffee, pimento, wine and textiles
All those violating this act will be tried in the Admiralty Courts- not in local courts
Why would the colonists feel like this is a violation of their rights? Think of taxation and trials rights!
1765 Stamp Act
Documents such as legal documents, newspapers, almanacs, playing cards, and even dice must display a government stamp
This had been in place in Europe for quite some time, but it had never been enforced on the colonies
All those violating this act would be tried in the Admiralty Courts, not in the local courts.
Same as the Sugar Act- what parts of this act do you feel many colonists would have a problem with?
1765 Quartering Act
All colonies in which British troops are located must furnish the troops with living quarters and supplies (like bedding, food, and clothing.)
1765 Virginia Resolution
The House of Burgesses in Virginia (representatives of the people of Virginia- created in Jamestown), reject the right of Great Britain to tax Vriginians, and declare that only Virginians can tax Virginians
What does this say about the colonial view of taxation?
The colonists view that they are starting to state they are able to tax themselves because they formed their own cities and that the colonists are starting to want to break away from Great Britain.
1765 The Sons of Liberty
This patriotic group is organized, vowing to refrain from doing any business that requires stamps.
Stamp Act Congress
Assembled in New York, October 1765
in response to the issue of taxation- American colonists felt that they were being illegally taxed because they had no form of representation in Parliament
Argument of "Taxation without Representation"STUDENTS: PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!
British Side (why do the British feel they have the right to tax the colonists?
- Britain feel they can tax the colonies because they have two million dollars of debt because they fought for them in war. They also feel they can tax colonists because citizens in England are being taxed for a war that was not for them.
-They feel that by the time they get representatives to England, it will be too late.
American Side (why do the colonists feel that Britain should not be able to tax them?)
- The Americans feel that Britain shouldn't be able to tax them because of the ancient English documents that are meant to prevent taxation without representation in Parliament. Though the Americans are virtually represented in Parliament, they cannot vote for their representation, and they feel that not being able to vote on their representation means that they are not represented. So, from the American point of view, it is against ancient English law to impose taxes on the colonies.
Proposals:
"We will insist that merchants stop importing British goods."
"We will make attempts to terrorize and intimidate all stamp distributors"
"We will agree to refrain from doing all business that requires stamps"
"We demand that Parliament repeal the Sugar Act and Stamp Act"
"With all due subordination to Parliament, we nevertheless reject the policy of virtual representation"
"We will accept the authority of Parliament to legislate for the colonies, but we will not give Parliament the right to tax the colonies or to hold trials in the Admiralty Courts"
"We reject colonial representation in Parliament because Parliament has no right to legislate for the colonies
Post Stamp Act Congress - NOT AN ACTUAL ACT. It is what happened AFTER the Stamp Act.
-adopted proposals 1,2,3,4 and 6
-the following happened after the Stamp Act Congress
1766 Stamp Act- the Stamp Act is repealed
1766 Declaratory Act
The British Parliament affirms that it has the authority to tax and make laws for the American colonies in all cases
1767 Townshend Acts
tax on everyday items and imports such as lead, glass, paper, and tea
The New York Assembly is dismissed- made an example of for not following laws (esp. the Quartering Act)
1770 Boston Massacre
on March 5. Skirmish between British troops and colonials. Left five dead and six wounded
Sam Adams coined the name "Boston Massacre".
Paul Revere engraves the scene depicting the British as murderers.
John Adams defends the soldiers- lends legitimacy to the just American cause
1770 Townshend Acts
is repealed...except tea and the Quartering Act
1772 Committees of Correspondence
organized by Sam Adams
ensures communication between the colonies and the leaders
1773 Tea Act
The British government tried to stop the smuggling of tea into the colonies. So Britain lowered the import duty (tax) on the East india Company which allowed them to sell it to the colonials for a cheaper price than ever before.
1773 Boston Tea Party
Sons of Liberty, led by Sam Adams,dressed up as Mohawk Indians and boarded ships with tea in them and throw it overboard. 342 chests.
1774 Intolerable Acts
response to the Boston Tea Party
Britain was so mad that the colonists dumped the tea into the harbor so these acts were established
Boston Port Act- Boston Harbor closed (devastated economy)
Massachusetts Government Act- changed the constitution of Mass (since 1691). The governor now appointed by king and has absolute authority over colony
The Administration of Justice Act- all British officials who are charged with murder can be tried in England rather than in the colonies
The Quartering Act-All british troops are to be housed in civilian homes
1774 Quebec Act
The government of Canada will operate under French Civil Law
The Catholic Church will be given special powers
all land West of the Appalachians and north of Ohio is now under the territory of Quebec
Many other colonies begin to send food and aid to Boston...beginning to feel like the colonies have some unity
First Continental Congress
the members of the Committee of Correspondence get together to discuss the current problem in Philadelphia 1774
Voted on the following proposals
we will form outright opposition to the Intolerable Acts
we will form "The Association" whereby we refuse to import, export, or conduct trade of any kind with Great Britain, Ireland or the West Indies.
We will adopt the Galloway Plan of Union to establish a Grand Council of the Americans
the Acts of the Grand Council are subject to Parliamentary review and veto, but the Acts of Parliamnet affecting the colonies are subject to the approval of the Grand Council
the Council has authority over matters of defense, westward expansion, and Indian relations.
the Grand Council may levy taxes to pay for its expenses
Parliament has neither the authority to tax the colonies nor legislate for them
Parliament has no legislative or tax authority over the colonies, but still has rights to regulate colonial trade
Proposals 1 and 2 were adopted
The congress basically advised the colonies to make and arm militias and to boycott British goods. They are wrote the Declaration of the Rights in Congress 1774 and sent it to the king
Post First Continental Congress
1775 Lord North's Compromise
Parliament will not tax any colony whose inhabitants tax themselves for the purpose of contributing to the common defense
1775 Acts of Parliament
New England is hereby excluded from the Newfoundland fisheries and prohibited from all trade except with England. No arms or ammunition may be imported to the colonies
1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord
On April 19, fighting breaks out. (See Powerpoint). 73 killed 174 wounded for British. American casualties were 49 killed, 39 wounded. Boston is under siege by Americans (British army there)
Paul Revere sounded the alarm ("one if by Land. Two if by Sea"), and warns the minutemen.
1775 Battle of Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill).
June 17 the fighting resumes
British casualties= 2,226 killed and 828 wounded
American casualties= 140 killed and 271 wounded
Second Continental Congress
assembled in Philadelphia in 1775 and 1776
adopted all of the following proposals
We will give aid and supplies to the colonial militia currently besieging Boston
We will form a Continental Army with George Washington as commander in chief
We will issue paper money to support the army
We will give appoint a committee to handle negotiations with foreign countries.
We petition King George III to personally promote repeal of the oppressive measures. The Colonies will stop the independence movement if the Intolerable Acts are repealed and Parliament agrees to regulate only trade.
adopted in 1776 after Thomas Paine write Common Sense
We will authorize privateering against shipping
We will sign the Declaration of Independence (See Powerpoint and the student projects)
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND AMERICAN REVOLUTION POWERPOINT.
STAMP ACT CONGRESS AND FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS POWERPOINT
British and Colonial Acts Leading up to the Stamp Act Congress
-The British began to collect taxes to help pay for the French and Indian War (cost Britain $2 million). Americans had never contributed much to the British Treasury (colonists "paid no more than six pence a year against the average English taxpayer's twenty-five shillings") The British also believed that the French and Indian War was fought for the Americans, so the American colonists should pay.
British Laws
Stamp Act Congress
- Assembled in New York, October 1765
- in response to the issue of taxation- American colonists felt that they were being illegally taxed because they had no form of representation in Parliament
- Argument of "Taxation without Representation" STUDENTS: PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!
- British Side (why do the British feel they have the right to tax the colonists?
- Britain feel they can tax the colonies because they have two million dollars of debt because they fought for them in war. They also feel they can tax colonists because citizens in England are being taxed for a war that was not for them.-They feel that by the time they get representatives to England, it will be too late.
- American Side (why do the colonists feel that Britain should not be able to tax them?)
- The Americans feel that Britain shouldn't be able to tax them because of the ancient English documents that are meant to prevent taxation without representation in Parliament. Though the Americans are virtually represented in Parliament, they cannot vote for their representation, and they feel that not being able to vote on their representation means that they are not represented. So, from the American point of view, it is against ancient English law to impose taxes on the colonies.Post Stamp Act Congress -
NOT AN ACTUAL ACT. It is what happened AFTER the Stamp Act.
-adopted proposals 1,2,3,4 and 6
-the following happened after the Stamp Act Congress
First Continental Congress
Post First Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress
Student Projects